UN experts are calling for the immediate release of the former head of the Truth and Dignity Commission in Tunisia

In a statement issued today, Wednesday, the experts said* that it is “Mrs. Bin Sidrin must be released immediately and without restriction or condition, and any charges against her must be dropped.”.

The statement indicated that on January 14, 2025, Siham Bin Sidrin, who is 75 years old, began a hunger strike in protest against her detention that started in August 2024. Two weeks later, on January 25, she was transferred To the intensive care unit at the Association Hospital Ernst Konsai.

The experts recalled their statement issued in August 2024, and they repeated their concerns that her arrest seems to be in revenge for her work, and more specifically her contribution to the report of the Truth and Dignity Commission, which is supposed to lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators of serious violations in the previous regimes.

They reminded that, according to Article 69 of Law, 2013-53, which established the commission, members and employees of the Truth and Dignity Authority may not be responsible for any content of the report, conclusions, views, or recommendations related to their work, which was implemented according to the state’s mandate.

Experts indicated that they are in contact with the Tunisian authorities on this issue.

Experts are:

• Bernard Duheim, the special course concerned with promoting truth, justice, algebra and non -repetition guarantees.
• Mary Lulpour, the special decision concerned with the status of human rights defenders.
• Margaret Satrzaway, the special decision concerned with the independence of judges and lawyers.

*It is noteworthy that the specialists and independent experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, an international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. The course and experts are charged with studying human rights conditions and submitting reports to the Human Rights Council. It should be noted that this position is honorable, so these experts are not employees of the United Nations and are not paid for their work.